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This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.

Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

Whether these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.

The Human Element

The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.